Valid Information

1.1.1. You must have
the exact release in your possession when you make a release submission.
Basing your submission only on information from websites, images, or anywhere
else is forbidden, as is entering information for planned releases that haven't
been manufactured. Items can be submitted before the release date, but you must
always have the physical copy in your possession when submitting.

1.1.2. Sources of information external to the
release itself may be added, but the physical release must always be the main
source. External sources of the information (for example websites, word of mouth,
books etc) must be declared in the submission notes, explained in the release
notes, and be verifiable as far as possible. Unsubstantiated information may
be removed or rejected. External information should only be entered where it
adds to the release information (for example, track names where none are given
on the release). This is to ensure that only verified real releases are entered,
and the data is as close as possible in relation to the physical release. Please
see the credit
section for how to enter credits that are sourced externally.

1.1.3. Any item on an audio format (as given
on the formats list page) is potentially eligible
for inclusion to the Discogs database. Discogs only catalogs items that have
been released to the general public, either as commercially sold items, or as
free give-aways. Items that are duplicated on recordable or readily reproducible
media (for example CDr, MP3, or Cassette) will be held under closer scrutiny
than items that are replicated on non-recordable media (for example vinyl records
and 'pressed' CD's). Please include as much information as possible with the
submission to establish the validity of borderline cases.

1.1.3.a. Video: Only video items that have
audio as the main focus are allowed, where "audio" is either one or more complete
studio recordings, one or more complete live performances. If the item still
makes sense with the picture turned off, it will probably be acceptable. Please
ask in the Database Forum if you are unsure whether to submit a video or not, especially
for borderline cases. There is now Filmogs for films!

1.1.3.b. MP3, ogg-vorbis, and other file
based formats: Discogs only catalogs items that have been released to the
general public, either as commercially sold items, or as free give-aways.
Only entire releases may be submitted, not individual tracks from (for example)
an album. Due to the relatively recent emergence of digital labels, and the
variety of those labels, digital releases may be held under closer scrutiny
for inclusion to the database than items that are replicated on physical media
(for example vinyl records and 'pressed' CD's). Please follow other users
advice, and ask in the Database forum if you are not sure.
The guidelines for digital releases
may be subject to further change and review.

1.1.3.c. Audio formats that don't contain
audio (for example blank picture discs) are eligible for inclusion as long
as they have a label / catalog number.

1.1.4. List any items that were initially sold
as a package (by the record company) as one release, no matter what the packaging.
Packaged items that are also released individually are treated as separate releases.
Items where we are uncertain if they were sold as a package can be entered as
separate items. Items that are obtained after the sale via a coupon or other
method should be entered as individual releases.

Capitalization & Grammar

1.2.1. The standard Discogs rule for artist
and label names, joiners, release and track titles, format free text field, index
track titles, credits, and headings, is the First Letter Of Each Word Is Capitalized. Track Positions can usually be represented exactly as on the release. All other text
(notes, comments etc) should follow standard English capitalization rules.

1.2.2. Exceptions;

1.2.2.a. Artist names which have consistently
unique letter-casing will be accepted with proof that the artist uses that
spelling consistently and intentionally. This also applies to artist name
particles (e.g. van, von, di, de, la, etc.), which can be in lower case if
the artist spells it that way consistently.

1.2.2.b. Acronyms, and initialisms should follow what is written on the release, including any punctuation if used.

1.2.2.c.Abbreviations, contractions and hyphenations should start with a capital letter. The rest of the word's capitalization should follow as on the release, except where all caps have been used, which should be turned to lower case.

1.2.2.d. Intentional capitalization of abstract
release or track titles can be entered as on the release. An abstract title
is defined as a word or series of characters that doesn't have a meaning in
any language.

Required Fields For A New Submission

Label / Catalog
Number - These fields always required. If there is no label, use "Not
On Label", if there is no catalog number, use "none," as seen here

Format - Full physical format descriptions are always required, for example Vinyl, 12". For file based release, file type is required, and the bitrate must be entered (if available) for MP3, WMA, ogg-vorbis, and AAC (in the free text field).

Remix credits and other credits that are mentioned in the track title or that are otherwise
obvious must be entered as extra artist credits. For example, "Some Track
(SomeArtist Remix)" must be entered as if "Remix by SomeArtist" were printed
on the release.

Credits - are required
for the main artist when they have one of the following roles; DJ Mix, Compiled By, or Presenter.

1.3.2. Generally, the more information you
can enter for a release, the better. Once you are comfortable with how to enter
the basic required information, try to enter as much information as possible.
For example, crediting everyone involved with the release, listing all other
relevant information stated on the release cover / booklet / label, etc.

1.3.3. Please explain in the Submission Notes
field if your submission lacks required information, or some aspect of the release
might bring up questions for someone who doesn't know the release.

Unique Releases

1.4.1. Discogs allows the entering of all versions
of a release, such as white labels, reissues, different artwork, format variations,
colored vinyl, different manufacturers etc. In order for these to be accepted,
you must provide enough information to distinguish the different versions of
a release. It may be important to provide as much information as possible for
major label releases, such as barcodes, matrix numbers, publishing/copyright
dates, and any other identifiable marks. Note that different matrix numbers or barcodes
may not necessarily mean that a separate release should be entered, please ask
in the forum if in doubt.

1.4.2. If the difference is subtle, you must
explain the difference in the release notes, or with images, or by any other
effective means, in order that future users can tell their versions apart by
referring to the entry in Discogs. For example; reissues that cannot be told
apart from the original issue cannot be entered as a unique release - unique
releases must have a means of identifying them as such!

1.4.3. Items such as cut outs (where a normal
release has a section of the sleeve cut, denoting a price cut item), items that
have otherwise been marked or altered after manufacture, differences in releases
with hand-made artwork that are part of the same edition, and individually numbered
items on otherwise identical copies will not be allowed as unique releases.

1.4.4. Manufacturing variations should not be counted as a unique release. For example; different stampers / matrix numbers for the same edition, manufacturing tolerance based variations in the shades of label paper or ink color, or unintended vinyl coloration caused by variation in vinyl stock, etc., would not constitute a unique release.

Splitting items already in the database into unique releases

1.5.1. If a release is currently for a retail
release and also a white label / promo, the existing release should be kept
for the retail version, and the white label / promo should be made as a new
submission.

1.5.2. If a release contains multiple versions
(for example, different colored vinyl versions, reissues, or different country
or region versions), the most common version should remain as the existing release,
and the less common versions should be split off into new releases.

1.5.3. You MUST have the version you're creating
in your possession whilst splitting. Do not use the existing release notes as
proof of the different versions. If there are multiple different versions of
a release, and you only have one of them, only submit the one you have.

1.5.4. The existing release should be updated
after a new version is accepted to the database to make it clear it does not
represent the newly added version. For example, if there is a note stating the
record is also available as a pink vinyl promo and the pink vinyl promo is now
a separate release, the notes need to be removed from the original submission

1.5.5. Do not keep credits that are not present
on the version of the release you are submitting.

1.5.6. Be careful with the format and track
numbering. If copying a CD for a vinyl version, make sure the tracks are numbered
in such a way that represent which tracks are on each side, and make sure any
track-specific credits in the release-wide credit section are updated accordingly.
Also watch for track order changes when changing formats.

1.5.7. Be careful with the release date, as
promotional releases are almost always available before the retail versions,
and should not keep the original release date. If no release date information
is present on a release variation, or you cannot find reliable information elsewhere,
you could assume that the year would be the same. If the retail version came
out at the beginning of a calendar year, you could assume the promo came out
the year prior. But if you are uncertain, do not include a release date.

Submission Notes

1.6. This section must be used to describe
your submission or update. For example, on new submissions, you could disclose
the source of the information, say you have checked all the links, and describe
or explain anything out of the ordinary etc. For edits, please provide a brief
description of the edit, and note the source of the information. Please describe
anything that may be potentially confusing about your submission (such as new
artists or labels to the database, typos on the release, etc). You may also use
this section to respond to comments from other users when resubmitting a rejected
release, or to clarify information. Good submission notes help greatly in both
verifying the information was added or updated correctly, and for the
future when reviewing the release history.

Errors, Missing, and Conflicting Information

1.7.1. The general principle of entering information
into Discogs is to reflect what is written on the release as much as possible.
When the information printed on the release does not match the audio on the release,
we enter the actual audio content, and outline the error in the release notes. It is
important at all times to communicate the errors and nature of the correction
with other users, using the release notes and the submission notes. Any doubts
should be discussed in the Database forum. If the
doubt remains, the release should not be updated,
but the doubt can be noted in the release notes.

1.7.2. Artist names, if the credited artist
is totally incorrect, should be changed to the correct artist, and the correction
explained in the release notes. Spelling and other errors in artist names must
not be corrected, but instead be entered using the
Artist
Name Variation (ANV) function. Any suspected artist name spelling error
can be explained in the release notes, but this isn't mandatory.

1.7.3. Track titles and release titles must
be entered as they appear on the release (please note specific instructions
at the release title
and track title guidelines),
except where there is a proven error that deviates from the intent of the artist.
Reasonable proof must be provided for the error correction to be accepted (for
example, that you hold the release, and have checked the audio content). We
require that the mislabeled track is 100% verifiable as an unaltered copy of
the original track in order to allow a name correction. If the track was an
altered or alternate version in any way, the altered / different name should
apply unless it can be proven otherwise. Any title error that is corrected should
be mentioned in the notes.

1.7.4. Incorrect tracklists should be changed
to reflect what is really on the release, the errors that have been corrected
must be entered into the notes.

1.7.5. For conflicting information printed
on different parts of the release, the most complete and correct version should
be chosen. If it is not apparent which is the most complete and correct, the
boldest version should be chosen (for example, the artist name on the cover
of the release, the tracklist on the rear of the release etc). Again, any differences
must be explained in the release notes. Please see the
title
guidelines for specifics of how to choose the right title.

1.7.6. Missing or damaged parts - A
submission can be made when the submitter possess a release with missing or
damaged parts (for example, a missing sleeve, a missing disc, or a torn label).
The submitter must have enough of the release in their possession to reasonably
guarantee the basis of the submission is correct. There must be clear release notes
and submission notes left stating the missing parts that were not available at the
time of submission. External information can be used to fill in missing information
in this case (for example, tracklists), but the submitter must state what information
has been externally sourced, and cite the source. The information must be reasonably
seen to be accurate; if there is doubt or disagreement, please ask in the Forum.

Languages

1.8.1. The default language of Discogs is English.
However, Discogs supports Unicode and allows releases in any language and character
set. Releases must be submitted in the language used on them, they should not
be translated or transliterated.

1.8.2. Some releases may have entire sections of text duplicated in multiple languages - for example the tracklistings on some classical releases. You can either pick one language to enter, or you can enter all the languages. The preference goes to all languages being entered.

1.8.2.a. When picking one language, use the primary language on the release (probably the same language that is used in the small print). If there is no clear primary language then use the English version. If there is no English version then use the language version that the releasing labels country uses.

1.8.2.b When entering multiple languages, enter titles into the fields using an “ = ” between languages. Enter any main and track artist name translations in separate artist fields with " = " in the joiner, using ANVs as appropriate. For credits, please just pick one name using 1.8.2.a.

Unicode, Links, Formatting, and HTML

1.9.1.a. In the notes field, links to Discogs artists, Labels, Releases, and Master Releases should be entered using the Discogs Text Formatting.

1.9.1.b. Text formatting using HTML or Discogs Text Formatting should not be used in any other parts of the release data.

1.9.2. A few releases are entered using HTML in the tracklisting, this is now deprecated and should be updated. Please ask in the help forums before updating.

1.9.3. Transcribing graphic design
decisions, such as reverse letters, additional punctuation, letter substitution etc,
should be avoided. An exception is the "Metal umlaut",
which (due to its widespread use) is acceptable (for example, Motörhead).

1.9.4.Use the Unicode strikethrough for catalog numbers and any other applicable area. There is an external site that helps you create this.

Conduct Whilst Using The Database

1.10.1. Please be helpful and polite to other
people. Do your best to submit according to the guidelines. Take care when altering
the data, explain your edits when needed, respect the database, be open to discussion,
and ask in the forums regarding any difficult areas if necessary.

1.10.2. Never submit false releases and updates,
releases from memory, releases from internet sites etc. Do not curse, lose your
temper, call names, or otherwise cause the submission process to be unpleasant
or frustrating for others. You should never continue submitting a release or
update that you have been advised is incorrect, or flood the site with incorrect
or malicious submissions, updates, comments, spam etc., or otherwise attempt
to corrupt the data, or cause obstruction to the submission and review processes.
Discogs reserves the right to take whatever action necessary to protect the
database and the general Discogs community from such behavior.

1.10.3. Please don't do updates just to change
the order of data (such as in the format or credit fields). Only do updates
to correct or add information.